Lot D development moves ahead with sale by city

After a positive recommendation from the Budget and Finance Committee of the City of Birmingham, the purchase of Lot D by Alabama Power was approved by Birmingham City Council on Dec. 11. This city-owned property, currently a street-level parking lot directly across from Alabama Power’s Powell Avenue steam plant, was the focus of more than 1,100 ideas generated through the Prize2theFuture idea contest, the first investment from our Community Catalyst Funds.

We believe this sale is a positive development for the continued growth of what our community told us they want — a cool, vibrant city center. When we first began making plans for the Prize2theFuture idea contest early in 2010. Railroad Park had not yet opened and now it has won national acclaim, including the recent Urban Land Institute award. Transformation of what has become the Parkside District continues with the expected opening of the Barons ball park next spring.

We look forward to seeing the plans Alabama Power has for Lot D. We also look ahead to the next investment from our Community Catalyst Funds, which has inspired so many donors to imagine and to experience the power of philanthropy to drive positive change.